Driver critically injured, pet killed in suspected impaired crash in central B.C.

VAVENBY, B.C. – Impaired driving may have played a part in a crash in central British Columbia that critically injured the driver of one SUV and killed one of several dogs riding in a second vehicle.

RCMP say it happened Sunday on Highway 5 just north of Vavenby when a northbound beige SUV slammed head-on into a black SUV.

A statement from police says the Alberta man who was alone in the beige vehicle has critical injuries.

The occupants in the other vehicle weren’t seriously hurt but one of the dogs travelling with them died on impact and a second dog was injured.

Cpl. Mike Halskov with RCMP Traffic Services says investigators have evidence the Alberta driver may have been impaired by drugs or alcohol.

Police are seeking any witnesses or dashcam video and would also like to speak to the driver of a transport truck that the beige SUV passed just before the crash.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 11, 2021.